On envy and malice

Starets said: "You must force yourself,
though against your will, to do some good for your enemies and mainly, not to
seek vengeance but to be careful so as not to offend them with an appearance of
contempt and humiliation."

One woman asked: "I donít understand
Batushka, how you not only do not get angry at those who speak ill of you, but
continue to love them." To this, the Starets laughed at length and said:
"You had a young son. Did you get angry with him when he did not say or do
something properly? Instead, didnít you try to cover up his deficiencies?"